Topic Thirteen (2010/12/6~2010/12/13): What are the roles played by women in the Old Testament?
Monotheism and patriarchy were established in the age of The Old Testament. In this social structure, what roles did women normally play?
Discussion topic:
Please raise an example and point out the significance of this woman in the Biblical tradition.
For example, Eve is the first woman. She was created from a part of Adam. She was taught to be submissive and loving to her husband. However, she possessed a weakness in her character, i.e., vanity, that had caused the betrayal to God's order and led to the great fall of humanity into mortality and catastrophies. Eve in the BIblical tradition is like Pandora in Greek mythology: The woman's curiosity and vanity have caused human race a lot of troubles.
Hello, Vinia
ReplyDeleteI'm Helen and my student ID is 99540325.
I would like to raise an example about Rebekah.
Rebekah is the wife of Issac who has a bias in favorite of Jacob.
So she tried her best to help her favorite son to get the birthright from his father.
She helped Jacob cook his father favorites’ dishes and pretend him as the Esau.
This is make sense to me, I know that some mother have a very serious bias toward her favorite children.
The children who are intelligent, diligent, and hard-working and perform well on school working usually get more attention and love from their mother.
It also can be seen in the animal’s word that the mothers give food to its favorite son first.
Since long time ago, mothers have a bias toward her children.
I'm 99540319/Jessica.
ReplyDeleteQueen Esther was a courageous Jewish woman. She was selected from thousands of beautiful women, and became Achashverosh's wife, a queen. Nobody knew that she was a Jew at that time. Her father, Mordecai, discovered a treason and reported to the king in the name of Esther. The traitor was hanged and this event was recorded in the book. Later, an evil prime minister suggested that all the Jews should be destroyed, and Esther risked her life seeing the king without summoning. The king loved her and spared her life; moreover, he granted her a gift. Esther then asked the king to withdraw the command of killing the Jews.
and today i would like to talk about moses' sister Miriam. we all know that the only few things miriam did was to witness moses floating down the river. little did we know that a little girl like her may have thousands of thoughts? maybe she wanted to save his brother but just can't. she is not capabable of saving him at that time. yes, maybe moses will be better in pharaoh's palace, but they are family, and families ought to be together, right?
ReplyDeletebtw, i'm 99540306
ReplyDeleteHello, Vinia~
ReplyDeleteI am Serena.99540344
I would like to talk about Ruth.
At first, she is just the wife of Elimelech's son when they were in the country of Moab. After her husband died, she determined to go to Judah with Naomi. And in Judan, she become a gleaner and met her new husband there. Their generation become the king of Israel. And Ruth who chose the people and the God of Israel become the mother of kings.
Hi, Vinia. I’m Eva Huang 99540321.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to talk about Delilah.
In Bible, Delilah was a woman who betrayed Samson by telling his secret about what made him so strong to the Philistines. She knew Samson loved her; therefore, she coaxed and pleaded with him to tell her the secret. What’s worse, she did this all for a great sum of money. I think she was a dangerous and selfish woman. She didn’t mind what would happen after she reached her goal, just cared about herself. She didn’t even know that Samson would take revenge on the Philistines and the result was so miserable. However, I think if she knew in advance, she would still do this because of the advantage.
Hello, Vinia, I am Justin 99540307.
ReplyDeleteI would like to take Ruth for example. She was a woman coming from land of Moab and she got married with one of Naomi’s son. However, Naomi and Ruth’s husbands died afterward. They all became widows. Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, her hometown, alone, but Ruth insisted on accompanying her mother-in-law. In Bethlehem, Ruth met a rich man named Boaz and they got married with each other. Ruth gave birth to a son named Obed. Then Obed had a son, Jesse. Surprisingly, Jesse was the father of David, who was used to be a shepherd but later on became a king. As a result, Ruth then became the mother of kings. Her role reminded me of Io in Greek mythology because she was told by Prometheus to head to Egypt, and then one of her descendants is Heracles, who saved Prometheus. So, I thought that Io could be the mother of heroes.
Hi, Vinia. I am Vicky 99540323.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about a woman, named Rebekah. She is Jacob's mother. In the bible, she tried her best to let her son get birthright and God's blessing. I think women in Bible would do everything to support their husbands and sons. However, they had drawbacks that every mother has, that is, they show a bias in their children that they love more. That's my opinion about women in the Biblical tradition.
99540345
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about Ruth.
At first, she was the wife of Elimelech's son, then her husband died. However, she didnt leave this family, she was firm in her purpose and ceased trting to persuade Naomi. she determined to go to Judah with Naomi. And in Judan, she become a gleaner and met her new husband there. Ruth who chose to be the people and the God of Israel become the mother of kings. Women in Bible almost as kind as her, they insisted on thier principles no matter what happened to them.
Hi Vinia I'm Johnny 99540311
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about Ruth.
I think Ruth is so faithful to her mother , Maybe this is onr of the reason that I choose Ruth to discuss . Well... thought her husband died , but she didn't want to leave her family , Her will was so stronge that nobody except God would conviced her to leave her family . Then she heading to the Judah with Naomi . after she became a gleaner and met her new husband in Judah . Ruth had become the mother of Kings . I think God is a nice person that he will give people a lot of gift . But also will deal the bad guys , after reading bible for a while , I can more understand the meaning of Bible .
Hi, Vinia!!
ReplyDeleteI'm Francis. 99540320
I would like to talk about Ruth.
I think she was a woman who actually showed her courage, faith, perserverance.
Even though her husband had been dead, she was still strive to live with her mother-in-law.
At the beginning, she gave up the opportunity that could get married with
another man who could take care of the rest of her life, and chose to keeping living with her mother-in-law.
It showed her great determination and belief in her husband's family.
Later, she married the rich man, Boaz, and she didn't forget her mother.
She was a woman who could share happiness and bitterness.
Good afternoon, Vinia. my seat number is 99540336, Alien.
ReplyDeleteIn this topic, I want to talk about Delilah who becomes Samson’s wife to find out Samson’s weakness. The reason why I want to discuss her is I think she is so skilful that she can cheat Season to tell her what the weakness he had is. In this event, I also understand that the allure of people is so terrible. People can do everything just for money. Maybe these people just around and me so everyone should follow this Chinese proverb. 害人之心不可有，防人之心不可無
Hi, I'm Jonathan 99540310
ReplyDeleteI'd like to say that, being a mother to Kings and Leaders are the typical roles that woman play in the Bible. For example, Ruth, she was the mother of kings, and Rachel, she was the mother of Joseph, the leader of Egypt. Woman in the Bible are not hero's, but they are the one that raised the hero's, so woman is a character with great power and responsibility.
Hello, Vinia, I’m 99540302, Joyce.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about a woman in Bible is Ruth.
She was a wife of Elimelech’s son who lived in Moab. However Elimelech’s two young son died so that Naomi who was a wife of Elimelech and her two daughters-in-law were all left widows. Naomi wanted to go back to her own town of Bethlehem so she told her daughters go back to their homes. Ruth is really obedience to her mother-in-law so she was with her to go back her town. Therefore, She always took care of her mother carefully. I think Ruth was very loyal and that is why I wanted to talk about her.
Hello,Vinia. I'm Rebecca(99540309)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to talk about Jacob's mother,Rebekah.
In the bible, Rebekah tried every means to let her favorite son,Jacob,get the blessing. She even persuaded Jacob into deceiving his father. It's terrible! Rebekah symbolizes a typical mother, showing strong favoritism to one of her sons. It sounds unfair, but it's part of human nature. We will absolutely prefer one thing to the other thing.
Hello,Vinia. I'm Mina 99540346
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about Delilah,whom Samson loved.
In the Bible, the ruler of the Philistines came to Delilah and coaxed her to find out her husband's weakness with a great sum of money. Altough she tried to coaxed Samson to tell her his weakness, Samson didn't tell her. I think it is so heartbreaking that his wife would betrayed him just for money. And at last, Samson told her the answer. Sorrowfully, Dalilah betrayed him and Samson was caught and sent to prison. Surprisingly , Samson regained his strength and he killed more of the Philistines than he had killed during his life. I think if Dalilah knew that her deceit would cause such a catastrophe, she might not choose to betray her husband and maybe when I think of Samson,I won't feel he is such a pitiful man.
Hello, I'm Chloe. 99540305.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about is Ruth. She impressed me the most for being such a supportive daughter-in-law; she never left her mother-in-law's side, even though her husband had died. She showed great trust and obedience to her family.
Hello, Vinia. I’m Jane 99540347.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about Delilah, one of Samson’s lovers.
The rulers of the Philistines came to Delilah and asked her to find out what made Samson so strong, if she could help them get control of him, they would give her a great sum of money. So Delilah tried very hard to coax Samson to tell her his weakness, he said that if he were tied with seven green twigs from a tree and if his hair were woven together in the loom, he can’t be so strong. But those were lies, and finally he yielded to her and told her the real secret that led to his own death. I think Delilah is an important woman because she caused a big war afterward.
Hi,Vinia! I'm Avis,99540335.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to talk about Jacob's mother, Rebekah.
She is so unfair to his two sons, and even violate the rule of birthright. Because of her favoritism to Jocab, she instills some bad thought into Jocab's mind for the purpose of getting the blessings form God. She makes Jocab disguise as Esau to deceive old Isaac and get the blessings. The Mother seems to be very wicked, however, I think this situation is so normal whether at the old age or in this modern society. I reckon that every Mother can't be so fair to their children. There must be one child that can get much more caring and privilege form Mother.
Hi, Vinia. I’m Pattie. 99540333 I want to talk about Delilah, who was Samson’s wife and wanted to know what his secret was. I think she was very brave because she wanted to help her own country. She acted like a spy. When I saw the story, I wonder why she kept asking the secret. She didn’t afraid that if she kept asking the same question, Samson would find out what she wanted to do and she was a spy. She didn’t give up and tried again and again. Finally, her efforts paid off and Samson told her his secret.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Prof.Vinia. I'am Andy Lo(99540314).
ReplyDeleteI deem that the very woman impressing me a lot is Delilah even though many of my classmates upstairs have mentioned her already. Deliah was the second lover of Samson,the strong man,as The Bible had said. In that period of Philistines ruling over Israelites,Samson was the person that God sent to set the Israelites free. However,out of God's expectation, Delilah taking use of the faith from Samson came to the obstruction. But on the other facet,it isn't hard to imagine Deliah will do such kind of decision,for she is really in a dilemma between her own country and her lover. In my opinion, if it hadn't been for Deliah,the tribe of Philistines must have been ruined already. Whether being a traitor to the country or to your honey, it still leaves many things to be discussed.
According to Deliah,the roles that women played at that time were just obejects just as aimals played nowadays. We,domineering human beings,could do anythings to them just to our will. Women at that time were also in such situations as being robots to give birth to babies,doing whatever she was commanded against her will,and so on.
Thanks for your reading!!!!!!
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ReplyDeleteI'm Robert 99540313. I'm gonna talk about Rebekah. She was Issac's wife and had to children, the elder, Easu and the younger, Jacob. Rebekah had favored her younger son, Jacob, so when the day Issac was going to give the blessings and the birthrights to Esau came, she tried very hard to help Jacob deceive his father and steal the two things from Jacob's brother. Rebekah played a bias role in the story, like women usually described. But I think it's normal for her to act like that, because Jacob apparently deserved the blessings and birthrights rather than his brother. Rebekah is just being a normal mother.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm Amanda 97540452.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about Ruth, Naomi's daughter-in-law. Unlike those women in old testament, Ruth was resolute and brave. She was not afraid to venture and decided to go to a foreign country with Naomi. In addition, she possessed a trait which was the same as those of women in old testament. She was submissive. She obeyed what Naomi had told her to do. For example, she stayed in Boaz' field as Naomi said.
Hello,Vinia. I am Apple Huang 99540317.
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about Ruth.
Why I wan to talk about her is that I think she is determined to do things when she decided. I always hesitate which choice I should make and whether I should do this or not. However, Ruth was firm when she decided to stay with Naomi. Although Naomi asked her to leave and go back to her hometown, she told Naomi that she would go where she go and she would live where she live. Later, she went to Bethlehem with Naomi. What's more, Ruth was married to a rich man whose name was Boaz. Finally,Ruth and Naomi lived happily there.
Hey, i'm Nina. 99540315
ReplyDeleteI'd like to raise a example of Ruth. Ruth is loyal to Naomi, her mother-in-law, even after her husband had died. This is worthy of being glorified and also reflects the concept and expectation of ancient people toward women's role as wifes, daughter-in-law or widows that they have to be loyal!
Hello, I’m Amy. 99540348
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer your question by raising the example of Ruth.
She was a woman who came from Moab. She and her sister-in-law became widows after their husbands died. However, she didn’t leave her mother-in-law, Naomi. Instead, they went on together to Bethlehem. At that age, a person who came from another tribe might not be well-accepted in that tribe. However, this kind of situation didn’t occur to her. Everyone there treated Ruth kindly and she even became the mother of many great kinds afterward. I think this story tells us that as long as we keep faith in God, we can go everywhere without worrying, for the God will help you. Ruth conversed her belief and respected God, and she received a good life.
Hi Vinia, I am Yuka 99540352.
ReplyDeleteI would like to continue your example of Eve. I think while it may be true that women tend to be more vain, curious, and emotional compared to men, we must not forget where Eve came from, a part of Adam. I think women are the missing pieces of men. And therefore, the passion, emotion, and irrational behaviors of the women in the Bible, are simply reflections of the lack of these properties from the men.
Hi Vinia, This is Joseph 99540301
ReplyDeleteI want to share my opinion and knowing about the wife of Samson,Delilah.
Delilah had a dirty deal with the rulers of the Philistines to find out what made Samson so invincible. She tried to find out Samson's secret. Samson lied to her 3 times. However,men are always weak when facing the women they love. So Samson told her all about his promise with God. The characteristic of Delilah has so many similarities in the characters of Greek mythology. In the Old Testament,many women were considered the origin of sin. Like Eve, she persuaded Adam to do the wrong thing. It seems like whatever it takes, man will do anything for the woman he loves. Even the dirties thing,he will also put his wisdom aside.
Hi, I'm Neo 98540451.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to talk about the most important woman in the Biblical tradition, but she was in The New Testament. She is Jesus's mother, Maria. Without her, Christian might not have their Savior, Jesus. According to The New Testament, God sent angels to Maria and let her become pregnant by his mighty power; then, she obeyed God's order and gave birth to Jesus Christ. That is, without Maria, Jesus might not come to this world and become the Savior who suffered for all. In brief, I think Maria is the most significant woman in the Biblical tradition.
My student ID is 99540338.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about the woman who is Isaac’s wife, Rebekah. She had two sons and one is Esau, who was loved more by Isaac; the other is Jacob, who was loved more by Rebekah. Rebekah wanted to let Jacob get the birthright, so she played a lot of tricks. She told Jacob to pretend to be Esau in order to get the birthright from his sick father. She shows that all of the women on the earth will do anything to help her children. Women love their children and husband, and would do anything to help them reach their goals. That’s my opinion.
Hello, I am Daisy, 99540342.
ReplyDeleteI want to talk about Ruth.
Ruth decided to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband passed away. She went to Bethlehem with Naomi. When Naomi asked her to leave and go back to her own hometown, Ruth said “Where you go, I will go; where you live, I will live; your people shall be my people; and your God shall be my God.” Therefore, although Ruth was from Moab, she changed her religion so that she was accepted by the people who lived in Bethlehem. Afterward, Ruth married with Boaz and she became the mother of kings.
Hi,Vinia. I'm Mavis 99540303.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about Ruth, who was a widow form country of Moab in bible.
She treat her mother-in-law whoes name was Naomi , as her own mother, even after Ruth's husband died, she never ever left Naomi. She's really a filial woman.
Hi, Vinia. I'm Betty, 99540322.
ReplyDeleteI would like to talk about Ruth.
Ruth is a filial woman, treating her mother-in- law, Naomi, well. Because Naomi's two sons died, she wanted to return to her homeland, and she told her two daughters-in-law to go back to their homes, for those two women were still young, and they might marry better men having better life. However, Ruth insisted in following Naomi back to a far place, where she totally wasn't familiar with. I think she is really a brave woman.
Hi, Vinia. I’m Emma. My ID number is 99540341.
ReplyDeleteThe woman that I want to say is Ruth. Her mother-in-law is Naomi. Naomi and her family moved to the land of Moab. But after years, her husband died and his two sons also died. Only two daughters-in-law company Naomi. One day, Naomi decided to go back her own land. Her two daughters-in-law wanted to go with her. Finally, Orpah went back to her land, but Ruth didn’t leave her. Ruth promised that she would never leave Naomi. Ruth said “where you go, I will go; where you live, I will live; and your God shall be my God.” Ruth is kindhearted girl that she leaved her hometown, stayed with Naomi. Her action was rare to see. Ruth, who chose the people and the God of Israel, became the mother of kings.
Hello, Vinia. I'm Emma Chang, 99540316.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the Bibel, I found that women is seldom memtioned in the Bible. It seems that women is not an important figure in the olden days. So, here I would want to share my opinion about a woman who I think played an crucial role in the Bible. The woman is Ruth. Ruth ,though her husband died she did not abandon her mother-in-law,Naomi. She followed her back to her hometown, a completely new place for her. Working very hard to make a living, Ruth then had a better life and married to another wealthy man. Ruth really did a great job as a daughter-in-law. She is loyal and faithful. And finally, she became the mother of the king.
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ReplyDeletei'm 99540337.
ReplyDeleteHannah is one of two wives of Elkanah; Hannah remained childless. One day Hannah went up to the temple, and prayed. In her prayer she asked God for a son and in return she vowed to give the son back to God for the service. She promised he would remain a Nazarite all the days of his life. Few years later, she had some kids. She believed God so that she could get what she wanted.
Hello, I am Lilian 99540351. I’d like to talk about Ruth.
ReplyDeleteRuth is a filial daughter in law. Naomi’s two sons married women of the country of Moab, one named Orpah, the other named Ruth. But the two young men also died in the land of Moab; so that Naomi and her two daughters-in-law were all left widows. Naomi wanted the daughter-in-law back to theirs mothers’ homes because they were still young, they can find another husband. But, Ruth would not leave her until she died. Ruth possessed a valiancy in her character.
I think one of the most significant woman in the Bible is Maria. She led a decent life and didn't stir much trouble as far as kings or pharaos are concerned, but after all, she was the one chosen by God to be the mother of the Chosen One, Jesus, the son of God. Her sone was chosen to be the Savior of mankind.
ReplyDelete